Submitted by Fred on

High Bottom

High Bottom
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Lifestyle

Recently, a friend, a recovering alcoholic, told me she had a "high bottom", a term I was unfamiliar with. Too proud to ask, I later looked it up and learned that "high bottom" connotes an alcoholic who recognizes the problematic nature of their drinking early on and decides to pursue recovery before hitting a more severe low.  

Well, it was news to me and it got me to thinking. 

Last year, because of medical issues, I eschewed drinking for more than 4 months and was proud of the "streak" and didn't really miss it, except possibly for social reasons. Truth be told, my friend Paul was pivotal in terminating the streak :)

Now, I do not drink at home and usually limit myself to one glass of wine when out for dinner

I know someone who doesn't remember what they had for dinner after 2 glasses of wine. I have a very high functioning neighbor who has not had a drink for many many years. Then there are those who enjoy "Day Drinking", while others wait until 5:00 and still others declare "It's 5:00 somewhere" before they sup. I also have oenophile friends who bring expensive fine wine to dinner and pay not inexpensive corking fees to imbibe (I wonder who dreamed that up?).  

All that being said, Prohibition is long gone and alcohol is legal. It's complicated: Do we all have a "High Bottom"?

Comments

Daniel Schwartz

I rarely drink at home and its usually a beer. When out I also will have one beer most of the time unless going to a wine pairing dinner which is about four times a year. I can't remember the last time I got drunk. I just don't enjoy that feeling anymore as I did when younger.
Paul Napolitano

No, I don’t think that everyone has it in them to be an alcoholic. Just like I don’t think everyone can be a problematic gambler or addicted to a drug. Like Dan Schwartz says above, I, and I assume most people, don’t enjoy being drunk or not sleeping well or waking up the next day not feeling sharp. I think you either have a regulatory control in your body for such things or you don’t. Fortunately, for me, after two or three whiskeys or glasses of wine, my body just says that’s enough. I really don’t think it’s anything more than the luck of the draw, and I feel awful for those who don’t have that innate ability. Enjoying a fine wine with a great meal or the intricacies and flavors of an amazing bourbon can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in life.

One of your best and most important blogs! Definitely a topic that should be discussed.
Shelley Simpson

I have noticed an increase in the number and quality of alcohol free beer and liquor. Not sure why but it's an option for some. I think it comes down to the reason for having the drink in the first place and the existence of the propensity for addiction.Sometimes they are an unhealthy combination.
Benjamin Geizhals

There is so much controversy about alcohol (my doctor refers to it as poison). I fall back to everything in moderation.
Victoria Drogin

Sharing wine or whiskey with old and new friends who appreciate it can be one of life‘s greatest experiences,. So much fun! Something to enjoy together, to connect, over which to bond. With that said, my tolerance has definitely changed over the years! I used to be able to enjoy more with fewer consequences, and now I feel it differently. Mostly inability to sleep. Still, sharing and enjoying is one of life’s great pleasures. We’ve made so many dear friends over the years through the wine community. For us, is like sharing music or art or other collectibles, something we love deeply, and appreciate.

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 01/23/2025 - 22:00

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Judy Mauer

Day drinking for me - champagne with lunch joined by adored friends. But seriously- I find as I get older my desire for drinking just for the sake of drinking appeals to me less and less.
ODEY RAVIV

A provocative topic for sure. I wonder what our younger members think about your blog and all the insights from the veteran Gothamites.

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 01/23/2025 - 22:55

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Judy Mauer

I’m a fan if day drinking champagne with adored friends for lunch. Having said that the older I get - the less drinking for the sake of drinking appeals.
Norman Spizz

in the words of Dean Martin if you don't drink , when you wake up in the morning that's as good as you willl feel all day.
Rona Gura

I am one for moderation. I have always had a low tolerance. Generally, I will only drink when out to dinner or if I have friends over. Even then, like you, I will generally only have one glass of wine.
Kelly Welles

Since the latest research disclosures about the correlation of alcohol to cancer, sales are down across the board for wine, beer, vinyards, champagne, bars. Also, restaurant alcohol sales are down. So they are coming up with alcohol alternatives.
Matt Plociak

I am a big fan of good wine. I have two wine coolers in my apartment and usually have 10 or so case of wine in various stages of "aging". I typically have wine with dinner. One or two glasses. I am pretty aware of how much I drink and usually takes 3 nights to finish a bottle. I also go to a number of wine tastings both at stores and large trade tastings.
All that said, I am aware of trying to drink a bit less ,certainly much less than during the pandemic. The latest health reports that say alcohol causes cancer is somewhat concerning, however breathing in the wrong environment can cause cancer too...
I guess my plan is to continue to drink in moderation as I try to do in most activities.
Kelly Welles

Such as non-alcoholic wines, beers, champagnes; Trader Vic's type drinks like The Scorpion, Pina Colada, Sloe Gin Fizz, Imaginative non-alcoholic fruit blends. You get high and fat from the sugar (which cancer also loves), but no alcoholic buzz. Cheers!

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